

Almost Heretical
Nate Hanson & Shelby Hanson
Christianity isn’t about pretending to believe something you know isn’t true. Former pastor Nate Hanson and Bible scholar Shelby Hanson sit down with leading scholars and thinkers to hear their best case for Christianity. We bring the tough questions, the doubts, the pushback, and the "but what about…" not to tear it down, but to show why it’s worth holding on to. With over 2 million downloads, Almost Heretical has become a space for doubters, seekers, and believers to discover a faith built on reason, history, and hope.
Join 1,000+ others for bonus episodes and our private community: almostheretical.com/subscribe
Topics: faith and reason, christian belief, apologetics, faith and science, biblical studies, scripture study, science and faith, case for christ, richard bauckham
Join 1,000+ others for bonus episodes and our private community: almostheretical.com/subscribe
Topics: faith and reason, christian belief, apologetics, faith and science, biblical studies, scripture study, science and faith, case for christ, richard bauckham
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 14, 2024 • 46min
#129 – Did Noah's Ark Actually Happen?
The hosts discuss the story of Noah's Ark, its dark elements, and its depiction in different ancient cultures. They explore the comet theory suggesting a global flood and the challenge of interpreting the flood story as non-literal. They examine the significance of the story, its portrayal of God's existence and power, and the impact of cultural adaptations. They also discuss the change in perspective on scripture, navigating different perspectives on the Bible, and having grace for others in their journeys of faith.

Feb 7, 2024 • 47min
#128 – Nephilim and Gender Dynamics (Genesis 6:1-4)
Delve into ancient texts like the Book of Enoch to unravel the secrets of the Nephilim and the "sons of God" mentioned in Genesis 6:1-4. Explore the connections between these stories and gender dynamics in biblical narratives. Challenge the literal interpretation of biblical stories and question their purpose. Discover the significance of ancient texts in understanding Genesis and the portrayal of women and divine beings. Reflect on the power of language in the stories of Genesis and the infinite interpretations they offer.

Sep 27, 2023 • 35min
#127 – Eve and the Apple (Genesis 3)
Join us as we delve into Genesis 3 and explore its long-lasting impact on women. We'll tackle big questions like: Did God really say what we've been told? And why isn’t the serpent identified as Satan? We’ll discuss how much of what we believe comes from Paul's interpretations and how this story has shaped women’s experiences, especially around leadership. Get ready for an eye-opening chat about challenging old notions and seeing this story in a new light!Thoughts, questions, stories? Please email almostheretical@gmail.comBecome a member and get:1. Bonus episodes of Utterly Heretical (our private podcast) every month2. All full-length episodes3. Access to our private community of 350+ listenersBecome a member: almostheretical.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 20, 2023 • 34min
#126 – Marriage, Gender, and Homosexuality (Genesis 2:24)
Is Genesis 2:24 an institution of heterosexual marriage? Does it matter? In this episode, we tackle these questions and play devil's advocate to help you respond to the pushback you may be facing. We challenge traditional views and ask: How should we use the Bible today? Tune in as we navigate the complex landscape of faith, marriage, and sexuality.Thoughts, questions, stories? Please email almostheretical@gmail.comBecome a member and get:1. Bonus episodes of Utterly Heretical (our private podcast) every month2. All full-length episodes3. Access to our private community of 350+ listenersBecome a member: almostheretical.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 13, 2023 • 34min
#125 – Rethinking Adam and Eve (Genesis 2:7)
Did you ever wonder why Satan is never mentioned in the Garden of Eden? Prepare to have your mind blown as we dive into the untold complexities of Genesis 2:1-18. This episode uncovers surprising interpretations, challenges common myths, and may forever change the way you look at the creation story. Don't miss out; it's time to rethink what you thought you knew about Adam, Eve, and the Garden.Thoughts, questions, stories? Please email almostheretical@gmail.comBecome a member and get:1. Bonus episodes of Utterly Heretical (our private podcast) every month2. All full-length episodes3. Access to our private community of 350+ listenersBecome a member: almostheretical.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 9, 2023 • 55min
#124 – How was light created before the sun? (Genesis 1:6-31)
What have we been missing in the creation story? What does the Sun being created before “Light” mean? Why do we have two different creation stories? Join us as we reexamine Genesis 1:6-31.Thoughts, questions, stories? Please email almostheretical@gmail.comBecome a member and get:1. Bonus episodes of Utterly Heretical (our private podcast) every month2. All full-length episodes3. Access to our private community of 350+ listenersBecome a member: almostheretical.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 19, 2023 • 1h 10min
#123 – Rainn Wilson: Spirituality and the Meaning of Life
We dive deep into spirituality and societal transformation with Rainn Wilson, renowned actor and author of Soul Boom. Join us as we explore the pressing need for a spiritual revolution in today's challenging world. Discover practical spiritual tools for personal and collective growth, as Rainn shares his insights on the lost essence of spirituality, the power of early Christian movement in Acts, the impact of societal movements like Black Lives Matter, and the importance of hope in an increasingly cynical world. Get ready to ponder profound questions such as, "When did the West lose spirituality?", "What is the motivation to love?", and even "What would Dwight Schrute think of Soul Boom?"Thoughts, questions, stories? Please email almostheretical@gmail.comBecome a member and get:1. Bonus episodes of Utterly Heretical (our private podcast) every month2. All full-length episodes3. Access to our private community of 350+ listenersBecome a member: almostheretical.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

4 snips
Jun 14, 2023 • 1h 9min
#122 – Neil deGrasse Tyson: Christianity and the Cosmos
Listen to a whole hour of Neil deGrasse Tyson talking about the Bible, Jesus, and Christianity in a way you've probably not heard before. Neil is the author of Starry Messenger, host of StarTalk and director of the Hayden Planetarium in NYC.Thoughts, questions, stories? Please email almostheretical@gmail.comBecome a member and get:1. Bonus episodes of Utterly Heretical (our private podcast) every month2. All full-length episodes3. Access to our private community of 350+ listenersBecome a member: almostheretical.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 31, 2023 • 49min
#121 – Many Creation Stories (Genesis 1:1-5)
(Listen to Part 2) – In Genesis 1:1-5, we encounter intriguing aspects that invite deeper reflection. We explore the use of the pronoun "us" in the early chapters, raising questions about its connection to the Trinity and the presence of Jesus in the garden. Additionally, we debunk the notion of strict sentence structure when reading the passage in Hebrew, uncovering its poetic nature. And we challenge the idea of a perfect heaven by considering alternative perspectives.Thoughts, questions, stories? Please email almostheretical@gmail.comBecome a member and get:1. Bonus episodes of Utterly Heretical (our private podcast) every month2. All full-length episodes3. Access to our private community of 350+ listenersBecome a member: almostheretical.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

9 snips
May 17, 2023 • 1h 13min
#120 – Sex, Orgasm, Masturbation and Purity Culture with Sheila Gregoire
In this episode of Almost Heretical, we dive into a candid conversation about sex and purity culture with special guest Sheila Gregoire, author of "The Great Sex Rescue." Join us as we explore the harmful effects of purity culture, its impact on individuals' relationships and sexuality, and the importance of a healthy and holistic approach to sexual education.Thoughts, questions, stories? Please email almostheretical@gmail.comBecome a member and get:1. Bonus episodes of Utterly Heretical (our private podcast) every month2. All full-length episodes3. Access to our private community of 350+ listenersBecome a member: almostheretical.com/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices


